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Protesters bemoan federal tough-on-crime Bill C-10

MONTREAL - A group of frustrated justice observers hiked pickets Friday to state their objection to Canada's upcoming tough-on-crime Bill C-10.

Quebec has long had one of Canada's lowest rates of crime and many believe that the province's attempts to rehabilitate criminals could be undermined by mandatory minimum sentencing and the loss of discretion that judges can mete out upon sentencing.

"Poor people, First Nations and people stuck inside cycles of violence will be adversely affected," said demonstrator Jordan Arseneault

Canada's crime rate has been in freefall and critics of Bill C-10 believe consider it proof that such a massive overhaul is unneeded.

One defence lawyer said that the body of research does not recommend any increase of punishments as proposed by the bill.

"The tougher sentences in the US, for murder for example, have not resulted in less murders," said Lous Morena. "Studies have shown one doesn't follow the other."

It does not appear, however that the Conservatives will heed the objections.

"They don't want to hear concrete hard facts, scientific studies and the people of this country," said Helene Laverdiere NDP MP for Laurier-Ste-Marie.

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Jordan Arseneault was among those passionately denouncing the upcoming federal crime legislation in Montreal Friday